Tiger Drive Bridge to be closed until June

Coastal Bridge and Construction workers move a counterweight for a crane Friday on the Tiger Drive Bridge in Thibodaux.

Abby Tabor/Staff

Jean-Paul ArguelloStaff Writer

Published: Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 10:24 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 10:24 p.m.

The first week of the Tiger Drive Bridge in Thibodaux being closed hasn’t resulted in significant traffic delays, but police are monitoring the situation.

While Thibodaux Police officers have seen a slight increase in traffic flow, people are not sitting at nearby intersections for unusually long times, said police spokesman David Melancon.

Thibodaux Police are monitoring the Jackson Street, Canal Boulevard and Audubon Avenue bridge intersections during peak driving hours, Melancon said. Peak hours include in the morning as students are going to school, during lunch and as students are shuttled home from classes.

“If we see the traffic getting too far backed up, then officers will step in to alleviate the congestion,” Melancon said.

The old two-lane bridge is being replaced with a three-lane bridge that will allow drivers to make left turns onto St. Mary Street and La. 308 without slowing down traffic, said Bambi Hall, spokesman for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

Work began on the bridge Tuesday, and it’s expected to reopen next June, Hall said.

The project is on the fast track with DOTD “due to the dire need for residents in northern Lafourche,” said state Sen. Troy Brown, D-Napoleonville. “This project will be a great benefit to the growth and expansion of north Thibodaux and northern Lafourche Parish.”

Brown said he was a supporter of getting state money for the project and knows it will make a big difference in traffic flow.

“The growth in Thibodaux has been massive over the years,” he said. “That bridge is well over 20 years old. The growth has far surpassed the traffic that the bridge can adequately accommodate.”

The DOTD contracted with the Coastal Bridge Co. from Baton Rouge to build the bridge. The contract is set to last 150 working days, not including weekends and holidays, Hall said. That timetable could change depending on the weather.

The approximately $2 million project is being mostly paid for by the DOTD Off-System Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement program. The city is only responsible for $398,712 with $245,000 coming from state construction money.

Staff Writer Jean-Paul Arguello can be reached at 448-7617 or at jean-paul.arguello@dailycomet.com.

<p>The first week of the Tiger Drive Bridge in Thibodaux being closed hasn't resulted in significant traffic delays, but police are monitoring the situation.</p><p>While Thibodaux Police officers have seen a slight increase in traffic flow, people are not sitting at nearby intersections for unusually long times, said police spokesman David Melancon.</p><p>Thibodaux Police are monitoring the Jackson Street, Canal Boulevard and Audubon Avenue bridge intersections during peak driving hours, Melancon said. Peak hours include in the morning as students are going to school, during lunch and as students are shuttled home from classes.</p><p>“If we see the traffic getting too far backed up, then officers will step in to alleviate the congestion,” Melancon said.</p><p>The old two-lane bridge is being replaced with a three-lane bridge that will allow drivers to make left turns onto St. Mary Street and La. 308 without slowing down traffic, said Bambi Hall, spokesman for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.</p><p>Work began on the bridge Tuesday, and it's expected to reopen next June, Hall said.</p><p>The project is on the fast track with DOTD “due to the dire need for residents in northern Lafourche,” said state Sen. Troy Brown, D-Napoleonville. “This project will be a great benefit to the growth and expansion of north Thibodaux and northern Lafourche Parish.”</p><p>Brown said he was a supporter of getting state money for the project and knows it will make a big difference in traffic flow.</p><p>“The growth in Thibodaux has been massive over the years,” he said. “That bridge is well over 20 years old. The growth has far surpassed the traffic that the bridge can adequately accommodate.”</p><p>The DOTD contracted with the Coastal Bridge Co. from Baton Rouge to build the bridge. The contract is set to last 150 working days, not including weekends and holidays, Hall said. That timetable could change depending on the weather.</p><p>The approximately $2 million project is being mostly paid for by the DOTD Off-System Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement program. The city is only responsible for $398,712 with $245,000 coming from state construction money.</p><p>Staff Writer Jean-Paul Arguello can be reached at 448-7617 or at jean-paul.arguello@dailycomet.com.</p>